The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 82

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 82

 

‘Then… I just need to get married, don’t I?’

 

After several stumbling attempts, he managed to get up.

 

He had drunk so much that it felt like shattered glass fragments were tearing his brain apart.

 

“Ugh, really…”

 

Swaying from the alcohol, Gregory slowly walked out of the room where he had been holed up for days.

 

On his face was a sinister smile whose true intentions were impossible to read.

 

* * *

 

My peaceful daily life came crashing down because of a single letter.

 

“Miss, a letter has arrived from the Marriage Registry Office.”

 

On a languid afternoon.

 

I had been idly munching on cookies when I looked at Amy with a bewildered expression.

 

“Huh? The Marriage Registry Office?”

 

The Marriage Registry Office.

 

It was a kind of government office that managed the marriages and divorces of imperial citizens.

 

It was a place that handled marriage-related affairs for not only commoners but also nobles and royalty.

 

Of course, commoners went through a simpler process while nobles went through a more complex one…

 

But that wasn’t the important part.

 

‘Wait, there’s no reason for the Marriage Registry Office to contact me, is there?’

 

What business would the Marriage Registry Office have sending a letter to an unmarried lady who wasn’t even married yet?

 

‘Maybe they sent something meant for someone else to me by mistake?’

 

Up until that point, I was feeling quite lighthearted about it.

 

But the moment I opened the letter.

 

[Congratulations on the marriage between the Count Gusto’s House and House of Ansi.

 

Since Lady Ansi currently holds the Ansi Viscountcy title, we are writing to inquire how the title will be arranged after marriage.

 

Will the Ansi Viscountcy title remain in Lady Ansi’s possession?

 

Or will it proceed in the direction of being inherited by your husband?

 

Please contact us after you have made your decision.]

 

…I immediately sensed that something was wrong.

 

‘What on earth is this?’

 

I looked down at the letter with a dumbfounded expression.

 

‘Marriage between Count Gusto’s House and House of Ansi?’

 

It’s been ages since I sent the letter breaking off the engagement, so why is the Marriage Registry Office suddenly sending a letter like this?

 

Moreover, those words ‘congratulations on the marriage’…

 

‘Don’t tell me a marriage registration was filed under Gregory’s and my names?!’

 

My eyes widened in shock.

 

Is that even possible?!

 

I never consented to marriage in the first place!

 

But then.

 

‘Huh?’

 

I perked up my ears.

 

Because music had suddenly started playing outside.

 

It was an old-fashioned serenade song for confessing love that was now out of fashion…

 

“M-Miss!”

 

At the same time, another maid rushed urgently into the drawing room.

 

I bolted up from my seat.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“Gusto Youngshik has come to visit. He’s currently in front of the townhouse…”

 

The maid who had been glancing at me cautiously continued carefully.

 

“Well, he’s brought a band and is having them play a serenade.”

 

“…”

 

I was left speechless.

 

‘A serenade?!’

 

By definition, it was a song sung while confessing love.

 

Long ago among nobles, this serenade was supposedly an essential part of marriage proposals.

 

Of course, it was a custom that had almost disappeared now.

 

Even our late grandfather had said,

 

“What serenade? Even my father never sang serenades.”

 

…and waved his hands dismissively, hadn’t he?

 

It’s not like he’s trying to spread rumors throughout the neighborhood that he’s proposing to me!

 

‘No, wait. Maybe that actually is his intention.’

 

With my head throbbing painfully, I got up from my seat while pressing my temples firmly.

 

I had to stop Gregory first.

 

When I stepped outside, I was faced with a truly absurd sight.

 

Gifts were piled high at the entrance of the Ansi Town House.

 

A small band positioned in the garden was playing an elegant serenade.

 

For reference, our house was located on Rydell Street, where mid-level nobles’ townhouses were clustered together.

 

Which meant.

 

There were plenty of other nobles’ townhouses around as well.

 

Those nobles had all come rushing outside and were watching the ridiculous spectacle taking place in front of our house with fascinated eyes…

 

“My goodness, what on earth is happening?”

 

“Is Gusto Youngshik proposing to Lady Ansi right now?”

 

“Oh my, I never thought I’d get to hear a serenade in this day and age.”

 

Meanwhile, Gregory, who had been busy directing the workers carrying gifts, turned to look at me with a bright face.

 

“That doesn’t go there, it goes over here… Oh, Lari!”

 

Lari? Lari?

 

Hey, since when did you start calling me by a nickname!

 

I was beyond incredulous—I was ready to grab the back of my neck!!

 

After staring blankly at Gregory for a moment, I frowned and asked back.

 

“What exactly is the meaning of this, Gusto Youngshik?”

 

I deliberately used formal speech and the title ‘Gusto Youngshik’ to maintain distance from Gregory.

 

“Oh my, Lari.”

 

Upon hearing my words, Gregory’s eyes widened as if he had heard some tremendous insult.

 

“What’s with the formal speech between us, and what’s this ‘Gusto Youngshik’ business?”

 

Then he flashed a grin.

 

“Just call me Gregger comfortably. Okay?”

 

Wasn’t that the precious nickname he only allowed Seraphina to use?

 

I was about to snap back when I hesitated.

 

Because at that moment, a sinister smile had appeared on Gregory’s lips.

 

“Especially since we’re in a relationship where we’ve even filed a marriage registration.”

 

“…”

 

When you’re flabbergasted, you become speechless.

 

It’s true.

 

I just opened my eyes wide and moved only my lips.

 

Because all the things I wanted to say were tangled up randomly in my head, I couldn’t form a proper sentence…

 

‘Get it together, Lari.’

 

I clenched my teeth firmly.

 

I couldn’t let myself get swept up by Gregory like this.

 

“About that marriage registration, who gave you permission to proceed with the marriage registration?”

 

I shot back sharply.

 

“I didn’t even know a marriage registration had been filed.”

 

At that, Gregory looked at me with a subtle gaze.

 

It was like looking down at a pet throwing a tantrum, clearly a condescending look.

 

‘Good lord, is he insane?’

 

I felt goosebumps rising along my spine.

 

‘Why is he looking at me like that?!’

 

Gregory soon shook his head back and forth, then continued speaking in a lecturing tone.

 

“Lari, you must have been very disappointed because of my inadequacy all this time.”

 

“What did you say?”

 

“But no matter how sulky you are, you shouldn’t play dumb about a sacred marriage registration.”

 

What the hell is he babbling about?

 

I felt my mind growing distant and hazy.

 

At the same time, Gregory knelt down in front of me.

 

“Though I may be lacking, I prepared this occasion to show that I’ll be faithful to you from now on.”

 

Then he looked up at me with a sickening gaze.

 

‘No way, it can’t be…?!’

 

And that “no way” became reality.

 

“Will you marry me, Lari?”

 

With those words.

 

Gregory forcibly grabbed my hand and pressed his lips to the back of it.

 

Touch.

 

The moment his moist lips touched the back of my hand.

 

“…”

 

Chills ran all over my body.

 

Smack!

 

I reflexively slapped Gregory’s hand away and stepped back while covering the back of my hand.

 

“It seems there’s some kind of misunderstanding.”

 

Then Gregory clicked his tongue and scolded me.

 

“Lari, how long are you planning to be so difficult?”

 

Difficult!

 

I flared up for a moment, but I forced myself to calm down.

 

Acting in a way that would give him ammunition here would only benefit Gregory.

 

Both the letter from the Marriage Registry Office and Gregory’s confident attitude.

 

Rather than rashly taking action, I needed to clearly assess the situation.

 

With that judgment, I decided to proceed by the book.

 

“Gusto Youngshik, this is the Ansi Viscount’s Private Estate. Occupying private property like this is illegal.”

 

“What kind of hurtful thing is that to say?”

 

Gregory deliberately drooped his eyebrows.

 

“We’ve already completed the marriage registration. We just haven’t held the wedding ceremony yet, but we’re already husband and wife…”

 

“Have all the gifts and musicians removed.”

 

I cut Gregory’s words short and glared at him with fierce eyes.

 

Then I took a deep breath and continued in the most businesslike tone possible.

 

“If you don’t, I’ll report this to Law Enforcement.”

 

After making that threat, I went straight into the Townhouse.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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